Zero rotation sensor for drive assembly idler

Claim 2

Driving and sensing apparatus for detecting a motionless condition of strap material and the like being driven thereby and comprising drive means for driving the material along a path, a rotary idler engageable with the material for maintaining it in driving engagement with the drive means, the idler being rotatable responsive to the transmission of motion thereto by the material being driven by the drive means, a fluid circuit, and a pressure actuated sensor including means for selectively venting the fluid circuit operable in response to the idler being stopped when the movement of the material is terminated for varying the fluid pressure in the fluid circuit and actuating the sensor to produce a signal indicative of the motionless condition of the material.

Claim 3

Driving and sensing apparatus for detecting a motionless condition of strap material and the like being driven thereby and comprising drive means for driving the material along a path, a rotary idler engageable with the material for maintaining it in driving engagement with the drive means, the idler being rotatable responsive to the transmission of motion thereto by the material being driven by the drive means, a sensor operable in response to the idler being stopped when the movement of the material is terminated for producing a signal indicative of the motionless condition of the material, the sensor including fluid porting means carried by the idler, and a fluid circuit including fluid operated signal control means and passage means for supplying fluid under pressure, the passage means being connected between the signal control means and the idler porting means, the idler porting means being registrable with the fluid passage means and automatically assuming a predetermined flow control position in relation to the fluid passage means when the idler is stopped to cause a change in fluid pressure in the passage means for activating the signal control means.

Claim 4

Driving and sensing apparatus for detecting a motionless condition of strap material and the like being driven thereby and comprising drive means for driving the material along a path, a rotary idler engageable with the material for maintaining it in driving engagement with the drive means, the idler being rotatable responsive to the transmission of motion thereto by the material being driven by the drive means, a sensor operable in response to the idler being stopped when the movement of the material is terminated for producing a signal indicative of the motionless condition of the material, the sensor including fluid porting means carried by the idler, and a fluid circuit including fluid operated signal control means and passage means for supplying fluid under pressure, the passage means being connected between the signal control means and the idler porting means, the idler porting means being registrable with the fluid passage means and automatically assuming a predetermined flow control position in relation to the fluid passage means when the idler is stopped to cause a change in fluid pressure in the passage means for activating the signal control means.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a stationary shaft is provided for supporting the idler for rotation, wherein the fluid passage means includes vent porting means formed in he stationary idler shaft, and wherein the idler porting means includes a plurality of exhaust openings circumferentially arranged about the idler shaft for communication with the vent porting means during rotation of the idler, the idler being in obstructing relation To the vent porting means upon termination of idler movement, causing pressure build-up in the fluid passage means for activating the signal control means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said predetermined flow control position of the idler porting means is in at least partially blocked relation to the passage means to effect pressure build-up therein for activating the signal control means when the idler is stopped.

Claim 7

Driving and sensing apparatus for detecting a motionless condition of strap material and the like being driven thereby and comprising drive means for driving the material along a path, a rotary idler engageable with the material for maintaining it in driving engagement with the drive means, a stationary shaft for rotatably supporting the idler, the idler being rotatable responsive to the transmission of motion thereto by the material being driven by the drive means, a sensor operable in response to the idler being stopped when the movement of the material is terminated for producing a signal indicative of the motionless condition of the material, the sensor including first and second fluid porting means respectively formed in the stationary shaft and the idler, fluid passage means for supplying fluid under pressure to the first fluid porting means in the shaft, and fluid operated signal control means communicating with the first fluid porting means in the shaft, said first and second fluid porting means being registrable for exhausting fluid from the first fluid porting means during rotation of the idler and being in nonaligned relation when the idler stops rotating for effecting an increase in fluid pressure to operate the signal control means.

Claim 8

Driving and sensing apparatus for detecting a motionless condition of strap material and the like being driven thereby and comprising drive means for driving the material along a path, a rotary idler engageable with the material for maintaining it in driving engagement with the drive means, a stationary shaft for rotatably supporting the idler, the idler being rotatable responsive to the transmission of motion thereto by the material being driven by the drive means, a sensor operable in response to the idler being stopped when the movement of the material is terminated for producing a signal indicative of the motionless condition of the material, the sensor including first and second fluid porting means respectively formed in the stationary shaft and the idler, fluid passage means for supplying fluid under pressure to the first fluid porting means in the shaft, and fluid operated signal control means communicating with the first fluid porting means in the shaft, said first and second fluid porting means being registrable for exhausting fluid from the first fluid porting means during rotation of the idler and being in nonaligned relation when the idler stops rotating for effecting an increase in fluid pressure to operate the signal control means.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the idler includes an annular surface surrounding the stationary shaft, wherein said first fluid porting means formed in the stationary shaft is in confronting relation to the annular surface of the idler, and wherein the annular surface includes a plurality of spaced apart exhaust openings constituting said second fluid porting means.

Claim 10

Driving and sensing apparatus for detecting a motionless condition of flexible strap of binding an article and comprising a powered feed roll rotatable about a fixed axis for driving the strap along a path and tensioning the strap about the article, a rotary idler engageable with the strap for maintaining it in driving engagement with the feed roll, a stationary shaft, the idler being rotatable on the stationary shaft responsive to the transmission of motion to the idler by the strap being driven by the feed roll, a sensor operable in response to the idler being stopped when the movement of the strap is terminated for producing a signal indicative of the motionless condition of the strap, the sensor including vent porting means formed in one of the shaft and idler members and exhaust openings formed in the other of the shaft and idler members for registering with the vent porting means, and a pneumatic circuit including signal control means and passage means for supplying air under pressure, the passage means being connected between the signal control means and the vent porting means, the venting porting means in said one member communicating with the exhaust openings in the other member during rotation of the idler to prevent air pressure build-up in the passage means during strap tensioning, the vent porting means being at least partially blocked by said other member when the idler stops rotating to cause pressure build-up in the passage means for activating the signal control means--.

Claim 11

Driving and sensing apparatus for detecting a motionless condition of flexible strap of binding an article and comprising a powered feed roll rotatable about a fixed axis for driving the strap along a path and tensioning the strap about the article, a rotary idler engageable with the strap for maintaining it in driving engagement with the feed roll, a stationary shaft, the idler being rotatable on the stationary shaft responsive to the transmission of motion to the idler by the strap being driven by the feed roll, a sensor operable in response to the idler being stopped when the movement of the strap is terminated for producing a signal indicative of the motionless condition of the strap, the sensor including vent porting means formed in one of the shaft and idler members and exhaust openings formed in the other of the shaft and idler members for registering with the vent porting means, and a pneumatic circuit including signal control means and passage means for supplying air under pressure, the passage means being connected between the signal control means and the vent porting means, the venting porting means in said one member communicating with the exhaust openings in the other member during rotation of the idler to prevent air pressure build-up in the passage means during strap tensioning, the vent porting means being at least partially blocked by said other member when the idler stops rotating to cause pressure build-up in the passage means for activating the signal control means--.

Claim 12

Apparatus usable in a strapping machine for tightening flexible strap about an article and comprising powered drive means for tensioning strap about the article, a freely rotatable idler engageable with the strap for maintaining it in engagement with the drive means and rotatable responsive to movement of the strap during tensioning, and a fluid circuit including fluid operated signal control means, a source of pressurized fluid and paSsage means in communication therewith, the passage means having vent porting means mounted adjacent the idler and connected to the signal control means, the idler having exhaust porting means carried thereon registrable with the vent porting means, and the exhaust porting means automatically assuming a predetermined flow control position in relation to the vent porting means when the idler stops rotating to cause a change in fluid pressure in the passage means for activating the signal control means for indicating a predetermined tensioning of the strap.

Claim 13

Apparatus usable in a strapping machine for tightening flexible strap about an article and comprising powered drive means for tensioning strap about the article, a freely rotatable idler engageable with the strap for maintaining it in engagement with the drive means and rotatable responsive to movement of the strap during tensioning, and a fluid circuit including fluid operated signal control means, a source of pressurized fluid and paSsage means in communication therewith, the passage means having vent porting means mounted adjacent the idler and connected to the signal control means, the idler having exhaust porting means carried thereon registrable with the vent porting means, and the exhaust porting means automatically assuming a predetermined flow control position in relation to the vent porting means when the idler stops rotating to cause a change in fluid pressure in the passage means for activating the signal control means for indicating a predetermined tensioning of the strap.